How We Work

A proven, seven-stage process to finding the right fit

We are advocates for both you and the prospective candidates we put forward; after all, a successful outcome will be the right fit for both parties. Ours is a tailored process, of listening, understanding and forensic evaluation and assessment over a series of refining stages, from initial consultation to on-boarding and in-post support and development.

Click on the links below to read more about how we ensure you always place the right person in the right role.

Our starting point is to listen in order to develop a profound understanding of your business – its culture, organisational objectives, products, services, financial performance, market perception, competitive environment and position within your industry sector.We consult with key stakeholders to understand the role and its value to the organisation – the technical/capability requirements and responsibilities as well as the necessary emotional intelligence and interpersonal attributes required. We will then compile a detailed profile of the ideal candidate and agree delivery timescales.

Built over many years, our proven track record in the regions we serve, means we are uniquely positioned to leverage extensive talent networks and referrals to help you find the right people to give you the competitive edge. Because many of our engagements require unique skill-sets, we also have the value-added option of delving discreetly into a deep pool of ‘passive’ talent to find your exact match.Our reputation is built on integrity and trust. In the rare instance that we can’t find a suitable match, we’ll tell you. We won’t ever waste your time by puttiing forward someone who is unsuitable. In situations like this, we offer a range of value-added options, from online branded advertising to campaign microsites, that will extend the reach. These kinds of options are particularly beneficial for high-profile roles where you need to take a branded message about the organisation to the wider market to attract the right calibre of person.

Taking the time to build and manage relationships effectively is crucial for a successful outcome. Stage 3 is the flipside of Stage 1, where, this time, we listen carefully to our candidates, ensuring their career aspirations, work–life balance, personal development needs, technical capability, cultural fit and behavioural characteristics are clearly understood and align with any opportunities we discuss and share.We take the same rigorous approach in assessing, challenging and supporting candidates as we do with our clients, informing them of the application process and the timescales involved. The one thing the people we place appreciate above everything else is our communication – the fact that we proactively stay in touch.

We utilise a comprehensive range of sophisticated profiling and testing tools to give you the in depth and accurate insight to make the right decision. As part of a selection process these tools take you beyond a limiting and not always reliable past-performance-and-experience approach to a more holistic, accurate and predictive model that also profiles a candidate’s personality, emotional intelligence and interpersonal style. This kind of profiling can be an invaluable interview aid for developing questions that probe strengths and areas for development, too.Your specific context is our defining criterion. It is a proven approach that enables us to predict a prospective employee’s ability to adapt and develop within an organisation, ensuring a cultural as well as technical-capabilities-based fit. This is especially common practice for CEO, executive, director, senior management and other key strategic appointments.

Following evaluation, we will present the short-listed candidates, along with additional background information and consultant recommendations. As appropriate, we share our in-depth evaluation reports – detailing capabilities and competencies in relation to the ideal profile, their strengths, and potential for development. This enables you to probe any particular areas of significance or concern further, during interviews. After each interview stage, feedback is obtained and interest levels carefully monitored.

We will handle the verbal offer and acceptance process, followed up by written confirmation from your organisation. In a candidate-led market where competition for the best talent is fierce, our extensive experience in promoting offers to prospective appointees can make the difference between acceptance and rejection. As your representative, our role is to provide a sounding board for candidates and resolve any outstanding issues or concerns. It is at this stage that references are thoroughly checked. Our in-depth market knowledge means we are uniquely placed to advise on an equitable remuneration and benefits package as part of the contractual negotiations.

<strong>Stage 7: On-boarding and in-post development and support</strong>

Ours is a holistic, integrated approach that offers clients complete solutions – from search and selection through to employee evaluation, engagement and development. We’re in it for the long haul. We want to see your new employee flourish and your business thrive, which is why we support the appointee through their notice period, and beyond to ensure a smooth and successful transition.

Our strategic People & Change HR consultancy also offer in-post assessment and evaluation tools that enable you to predict future performance and fit. They help you focus your resources more cost effectively, identifying potential risk as well as highlighting areas for career-development investment, vital for the retention of the brightest and best leadership talent.

Working with fast-growing start-ups and SMEs to large corporates and public-sector organisations, we offer our partners a breadth and depth of industry experience and insight across a range of sectors and organisational structures that bring an objective clarity to the most complex of people-search challenges.

I normally would NEVER work with recruitment companies due to dreadful experiences in the past. Phil was recommended by a respected associate and he is different. He works very hard to understand you and your requirement and earns great respect from his candidates. He organises everything and whilst recruitment is expensive, Phil gives a top quality service. A recruiter with Integrity.

Mike Jordan

Managing Director, Summit Systems Ltd

Darren at Seymour John has been a pleasure to deal with throughout our most recent recruitment process. Personable and professional, he has recommended high quality candidates and ensured the process has been smooth for all parties. I have been very impressed by Seymour John, and look forward to continuing to work closely with Darren and the team in the future.

Michelle Pearce

Chief Investment Officer, Wealthify

Jordan was a great help to us in the recruitment of our Finance Assistant. It was great that he visited us to have face to face meetings to understand our requirements and discuss which candidates we should interview. We were kept up to date at every stage of the recruitment process. The whole exercise was structured to our needs with minimal disruption, allowing us to carry on with what we do best. We would definitely use Seymour John in the future

Emma Stanley

Management Accountant, BCRS Business Loans

Seymour John demonstrated a real empathy with our organisation. Maria Edwards took time to listen to what we needed and created a recruitment plan that ultimately gave us a good range of quality candidates. As Director, Maria was in touch throughout the process and was always available to deal with our queries. Our search has found us an individual that was an ideal match for the organisation.

Richard Hughes

Chief Executive, Awen

I am delighted with the results that Seymour John, delivered for us during our recruitment for a specialist treasury role. The time Mark spent discussing the role with all of the candidates in the selection phase of the process proved to be invaluable, and I was presented with highly credible candidates at the interview stage. I would definitely use Seymour John in the future, and would recommend them to anyone looking to recruit for specialist roles.

Stuart Clarke

Head of Treasury, Secure Trust Bank

Trying to fill a vacancy for a Finance Analyst was proving to be a difficult task. However following contact with Simon Lowe of Seymour John, I am happy to say the challenge was far more bearable! I would highly recommend Seymour John to anyone recruiting as they go the extra mile and don’t just send an endless supply of CV’s, The impression I got was quality over quantity. I will certainly use them again going forward.

Darren Schlicht

UK Financial Controller, Advant

I already had a strong relationship with Simon as a client so when I decided that it was time for a career move he was the obvious choice for help and guidance… he found the right business, with the right culture and people, in the right location and got me face time… now I am Finance Director of that business. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Simon to anyone in my network.

Shaun Wildman

Finance Director, McAuliffe Group

Phil actually listens to what you are looking for and offers professional advice when it’s needed. His dedication to a job and his ability to sound out the right people meant he placed all 3 of our available positions against tough competition from other agencies. Keep up the good work Phil

Wesley Burrage-Jones

Finance Director, UTC Aerospace

We had tried to fill the job a number of times before asking Phil to support us. He addressed this candidate shortage by undertaking an extensive piece of market research and proactively contacted 24 relevant people. He then presented us a final shortlist of 6, all of which he had personally interviewed. Other agents tended to just send us what was on their database. Whilst his service cost slightly more than quotes from other agents, the due diligence, hard work and tenacity he displayed to secure a candidate that matched our challenging brief, meant that we derived better value for money overall, and ultimately secured the best candidate in the market for our vacancy.

Chris Stephens

Group Finance Director, Newmour Group Ltd

I found the service and communication from Seymour John to be professional and thorough throughout the whole process. Lee did a great job of getting to the detail of what my business was looking for. Highly recommended.